What national media is saying about the Eagles heading into their ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup with the Bears
Injuries for both teams have led to plenty of questions — notably who will start at quarterback for Chicago?
It’s Week 3, and teams are no longer fresh. Injuries and depth chart questions have national analysts divided on who will win this week’s Monday Night Football showdown between the Eagles and Chicago Bears (8:15 p.m., 6abc, ESPN).
» READ MORE: Eagles vs. Bears predictions: Our writers pick a winner for the Week 3 game in Chicago
The Eagles’ biggest change is the potential return of tight end Zach Ertz, who was signed to the practice squad after starting tight end Dallas Goedert went down with a sprained MCL that’s expected to keep him out for a few weeks. For Chicago, quarterback Caleb Williams’ status is unknown after he was carted off with a hamstring injury, and backup Tyson Bagent is in concussion protocol. That could put No. 3 quarterback Case Keenum on the field.
QB shuffle
All eyes are on the quarterbacks. For the Eagles, that means relying on Jalen Hurts while the offense works out its kinks. ESPN analyst Ben Solak says the Birds still have a ways to go and predicts the Bears have a chance to win if Bagent starts.
“My overall expectations for the Eagles’ offense will remain tempered until I see the line and the running game return to form,” Solak wrote on ESPN.com, “but if Hurts can use his arm to guide them to wins through September and into October, they’ll have time to iron out their rushing issues.”
Other ESPN analysts are focused on Chicago’s quarterback situation, with the starter undetermined. Keenum, who hasn’t played in a regular-season game since 2023, told ESPN’s Courtney Cronin he’s confident if he gets the call.
“I feel very prepared,” Keenum told ESPN. “It’s what I do every week. It’s what I’ve done for a long time. I’ve been in this league for a long time. If my name’s called, I’m excited to be out there.”
Keenum, 38, is in his 15th NFL season and is on a two-year contract with the Bears. He has an 84.6 career passer rating and has completed 62.3% of his career passes for 15,175 yards and 79 touchdowns to 51 interceptions. Monday’s game would be his first as a Bear.
» READ MORE: What the Bears are saying about their MNF game against the Eagles
Bears upset?
But playing their backup’s backup could still result in a win if the run game powered by Kyle Monangai and Philly native D’Andre Swift finds success, wrote Sports Illustrated.
“If Chicago’s running backs are finding openings, Keenum could game-manage for most of the game and pick his spots in the passing game when needed against what has been a lockdown Philly secondary,” Andrew Hughes wrote.
SI betting analyst Peter Dewey is backing the Bears, at least for the spread, citing Goedert’s injury and a defense that’s had issues in Weeks 1 and 2.
“I’ll take the points with the Bears at home,” Dewey wrote.
» READ MORE: Eagles odds against the Bears; plus player props for DeVonta Smith and more
Birds win?
It’s not all bad news for the Eagles. Despite their slow start, USA Today points to an uphill battle for the Bears in Week 3.
“Philadelphia has too much talent for a Keenum-led offense that managed only three points against Minnesota,” Adam Kaufman wrote. “If Williams unexpectedly plays, the handicap changes. Without him, I don’t see Chicago producing enough offense to stay competitive.”
The Eagles survived -- again. This time, instead of holding on for dear life as they did in their opener against Washington, the Eagles came from behind in the final minutes to pull out a gutsy win at Tennessee, with their quarterback leading the way. With the Eagles 2-0, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane and Mike Sielski examine Jalen Hurts’ promising performance through two games, and dig into the uneven play of the defense. Listen here.
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